Adubato Is Fired as Coach of Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks, who have the worst record in the NBA, fired Coach Richie Adubato on Wednesday.
Assistant coach Gar Heard was named interim coach, but Maverick officials said Heard won’t be considered as a permanent replacement.
“The team is going to struggle and we know that because when you go (with) young (players), it’s tough,” Maverick General Manager Norm Sonju said. “We just feel strongly that the development of the players is something we have to have right now.”
Adubato, who will be paid for the rest of this season and the next, leaves Dallas with a 94-170 record. His career NBA coaching record, including a stint with the 1979-80 Detroit Pistons, is 106-228. Adubato, the Mavericks’ third coach, succeeded John MacLeod, who was fired Nov. 29, 1989.
“The bottom line is that my profession is one where you have to win,” Adubato said. “I felt we could be competitive, but it was going to take us a little longer than people thought.”
Heard, an 11-year NBA veteran, is in his sixth season as a Maverick assistant.
The Mavericks hope to name a new coach within the next few days, although Sonju would not disclose any names.
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